A UKRAINIAN refugee is rebuilding her life in the UK with her daughter and has spoken of how her new job in the Bradford district has given her a fresh start.

Iryna has secured a full-time job with Shipley-based BlindsbyPost, which has launched a campaign to support Ukrainian refugees arriving in the Bradford area.

The scheme will see the online blinds retailer fast-track Ukrainians who have come to the UK and are seeking work in the area.

Iryna was the first person to be appointed through the scheme and she said: “Having the opportunity to secure a full-time job and income has meant a lot to me when I’ve had to move away from my home country and my husband who has stayed in Ukraine.”

She spoke of how she wasn’t sure what to expect when she arrived in the UK, but her job has given her the stability she needs to start building a new life with her daughter.

“I hope to see my husband again soon,” she said.

BlindsbyPost has worked closely with Rob Higgie, a first responder who enables refugees to come into the UK and secure employment with local companies, to raise awareness of the scheme.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Iryna, first responder Rob Higgie and Oliver Hudson from BlindsbyPost Iryna, first responder Rob Higgie and Oliver Hudson from BlindsbyPost

Rob said: “It’s impossible to comprehend what Ukrainians and other people arriving in the UK as refugees have experienced.

“Businesses like BlindsbyPost play a crucial role in supporting these people and offering them some stability at a time of unprecedented conflict and upheaval.”

BlindsbyPost also supports young people in the UK struggling to secure full-time employment.

The company is part of the Government’s Kickstarter campaign which was established to fund employers and enable them to create jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit.

The scheme has proved successful for BlindsbyPost -  a total of four people have successfully completed their training and entered full-time employment. 

“As a Bradford-based business it’s really important to us to offer employment opportunities to people in the local area,” said company director Oliver Hudson.

“Having the opportunity to support people who’ve been impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine and young people who are struggling to hold down jobs is an honour.

“People are the lifeblood of any successful business and growing our skilled and dedicated team is beneficial for everyone.  It means a lot to be able to have a positive impact on people’s lives.”

For any Ukrainian refugees in the local area, BlindsbyPost has established a dedicated landing page on the website for job applications at www.blindsbypost.co.uk/blindsbypost-launches-refugee-job-scheme.